Dave Falconer gave 22 years of his life to the Arkansas Tech University men’s golf program before his death in 2011 and with the Dave Falconer Memorial Golf Tournament on July 27, the university aims to give something back.

“Coach Falconer had such an impact on so many people’s lives,” current men’s golf coach Luke Calcatera said. “He affected so many people in Russellville. When he passed away we wanted to honor the coach and give everyone a chance to remember his life. He was someone that if you met, you’d always remember him just because of his funny quirks and the things that he said.”

Falconer, who led the men’s golf team to four Arkansas intercollegiate Conference titles (1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995), three berths in the NAIA National Tournament (1993, 1994 and 1995) and seven appearances in the NCAA Division II postseason competition (1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010), was one of the most successful coaches to call himself a Wonder Boy.

Falconer was also the only coach from Arkansas to win the Gulf South Conference (GSC) men’s golf championship, which he brought home in 2004.

Calcatera, Falconer’s successor, was a part of that 2004 four team.

“You had to be mentally tough to play for coach Falconer,” Calcatera said. “He wasn’t going to tell you everything was fine if it wasn’t fine. If he wanted you to change something, he’d definitely let you know how he felt. He really helped me with my fundamentals and with my short game. He showed me things that to this day I remember and use.”

Although Falconer isn’t walking the greens any longer, his spirit endures in the hearts of those who knew him and, according to Calcatera, the lessons he taught under are still employed to train the men’s golf team.

“He influenced me in some of the things I work on with the team, for sure,” Calcatera said. “He helped open the door for me to even begin working at Tech as the golf coach and he helped me in the way that I work with our players.”

The tournament, which is a three-person scramble will cost $75 dollars per person and begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamberlyne Country Club in Danville. A copy of the entry form can be obtained via e-mail at jenniferanne66@hotmail.com or lcalcatera@atu.edu